Vedanta Limited Lanjigarh Celebrates National Sports Day by Felicitating National-level Archery Champions

Lanjigarh, 2/9: Vedanta Limited Lanjigarh, India’s premier producer of metallurgical grade alumina, celebrated National Sports Day by honoring the extraordinary achievements of Sanjay Majhi, a young archery prodigy hailing from the Kalahandi district. In recognition of his recent Bronze medal win at the prestigious ‘Janjatiya Khel Mahotsav’ 23′ held in Bhubaneshwar, Vedanta Limited, Lanjigarh unveiled a compelling short film that celebrates the journey of this budding archery sensation. Sanjay Majhi’s remarkable journey to success is deeply intertwined with Vedanta Limited, Lanjigarh’s Archery Training Program, which has been nurturing young athletes in the region for the past few years. The short film encapsulates the dedication, perseverance, and unwavering spirit that has fuelled Sanjay’s ascent in the world of archery. The film can be viewed here: https://rb.gy/3fv7t.

During a heartwarming ceremony, Mr. GG Pal, Dy. CEO, Alumina Business, felicitated both Sanjay Majhi and Bikram Majhi, who was also part of the victorious team at the ‘Janjatiya Khel Mahotsav’23’. This recognition extended to their esteemed coach, Mr. Simanchal Kadraka, who has played a pivotal role in shaping the future archery champions of the district. Notably, Mr. Kadraka was also supported by Vedanta through childhood, schooling, college and employment. His story can be viewed here: https://shorturl.at/cdfyN.

The athletes were also honoured by the Kalahandi District Athletic Association during a ceremony held in Bhawanipatna in the presence of distinguished personalities from sports and educational organizations, for representing the district at various State-level and National-level competitions

Vedanta Limited, Lanjigarh has been cultivating a legacy of champions not only in archery but also in various other sports. As a testament to their commitment to developing sports at the grassroots level, three students from Vedanta Karate Initiative have achieved the coveted black belt and instructor certificate from the Utkal Karate School in Bhubaneswar. Through initiatives like the Vedanta Archery Initiative and Vedanta Karate Initiative, the company is nurturing young athletes from remote regions of Odisha.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. GG Pal, Dy. CEO, Alumina Business – Vedanta Limited, said, “At Vedanta Ltd., Lanjigarh, we believe sports is a powerful catalyst for the development of individuals, enhancing overall well-being. It instils valuable life skills like determination, resilience and teamwork. It is indeed inspiration to witness young athletes from remote areas making a mark at national forums. As an organization, our unwavering commitment remains to provide access to holistic development opportunities for the youth of Kalahandi. These achievements stand as a testament to Vedanta Aluminium’s dedication to fostering active engagement among the youth and fostering a positive transformation in society.”

Expressing his delight, Mr. Simanchal Kadraka, coach of Sanjay Majhi and Bikram Majhi, under Vedanta Archery Initiative, said, “I’m extremely elated that my students performed exceptionally at the national level, bringing home the medal for Odisha after seven long years. I believe that these boys will be shining athletes representing India in the near future. All of this has come true because of Vedanta’s support towards creating a thriving sports ecosystem in the region, that has provided a platform to the local youth to hone their talents.”

Vedanta Lanjigarh has developed a world-class training ecosystem within the domain of sports in Lanjigarh, increasing rural communities’ participation in the national sporting arena. At present, over 40 students are undergoing training in archery and have bagged 37 medals across different competitions. In karate, 60 students are undergoing training at SSD High School Lanjigarh, supported by Vedanta, and have won 48 medals in various competitions. The company has provided them with quality equipment, professional coaches, regular training programs and also supports athletes to participate in various state and national-level competitions. Its interventions in sports, education and social developments through various initiatives have created a positive transformation in the region.

Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing more than half of India’s aluminium i.e., 2.29 million tonnes in FY23. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 2nd in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) 2022 world rankings for aluminium industry, a reflection of its sustainable development practices. With its world-class aluminium smelters, alumina refinery and power plants in India, the company fulfils its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow.